Motion-picture apparatus.



E. E. MAGGARD.

MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I3. 1916.

Patented July 1, 1919.

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wzinesceaz E. E. MAGGARDJ MOTION PICTUREAPPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I3. 1916.

Patented July 1, 1919.

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E. E. MAGGARD.

MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13. 1916.

Patented July 1, 1919.

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MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13. I916. 1,80%,Q98 Patented July 1, 1919.

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ELISHA E. MAGGARD, OF MOREHEAD, KENTUCKY.

MOTION-PICTURE APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented J uly 1, 1919.

Application filed March 13, 1916. Serial No. 83,832.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIsHA E. MAGGARD,

. a citizen of the United States, residin' at include any flexible carrier of Morehead, in the county of Brown and tate of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motion-Picture Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to motion picture apparatus, particularly to the picture-strip and to means for manipulating or controlling the latter. By the term picture-strip I words, advertisements, or the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a picture-strip with a loop-winding; further to provide a picture-strip with a plurality of loop-windings successively arranged in the strip; further to provide a picture-strip with a loop-winding, and a further loopwinding the respective stretches whereof are fed from the respective stretches of said firstnamed loop-winding; further, to provide an endless picture-strip with a plurality of loop-windings in series, and an exposurepart for the strip, the strip passing from said exposure-part to the first winding of the series and from the last winding thereof to said exposure-part, the picture-strip between windings traveling in reverse direction; and further to provide an endless picture-strip with a plurality of windings one of which is a receiving winding and the other of which is a feeding winding.

It is the object of my invention further to provide novel means whereby to roll an endless picture-strip loopwise, further to provide novel means for unrolling the same; and, further to provide means whereby to roll a doubled picture-strip section and to convert the same into an unrollin section.

It is the object of my invention rther to provide novel means for automatically accomplishing these various purposes.

It is the object of my invention further, to provide novel means whereby abrasive action between the faces of the picture-strip, and whereby surface movement between ad.-

jacent layers of the picture-strip, are'mini mized, and whereby the life of the picture strip is preserved.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a front side elevation of my improved device with the front wall of the casing removed.

Fig. 2 represents a rear side elevation of pictures,

- stanced my improved device with the rear wall removed.

Fig. 3 represents a rear end elevation of my improved device, with the rear end wall removed for exposure of the parts in the casing, and the lamp housing and projecting head omitted.

Fig. 4 is a detail in front elevation showingvthesection of picture-strip being wound. ig. 5 is a vertical cross-section taken on the irregular line 5-5 of Fig. 2, showing the winding and tripping means.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 66 of Fig. 5, showing a detail of the same.

Fig. 7 is an edge elevation, showing a modification wherein the picture-strip is wound between parallel plates.

I have exemplified my invention as embodied in a motionpicture machine of the intermittently feeding type. The picturestrip is shown at 21, and is exemplified as an endless strip havin a feeding stretch 22 feedin into the exhi ition device 23, in-

as a motion picture projecting head of usual construction, and a receiving stretch 24 received from the latter. These stretches are preferably in off-set relation.

The picture-strip is provided with a loopwinding 25 exemplified as comprisin the bight 26 of the loop and the stretches 2 28, extending from the bight for forming the loop, forming a doubling of the picturestrip, for arranging the same loopwise and winding the same in loop-arrangement, the winding being accomplished, for instance, by turning the winding in the direction of the arrow 0;. The receiving stretch 24 moves in the direction of the arrow 6.

Preferably a second loop-winding 31 is arranged in the length of the picture-strip,

having been formed previously to the formation of the winding 25, this winding also being a winding of a loopwise arrangement of picture-strip section, comprising for instance the bight 32, from which the stretches 33, 34, extend for forming the loop. these stretches being arranged in doubled relation wound together in the formation of the winding.

The latter winding is unwound while the previously named winding is being wound, the unwinding being accomplished by movement of the respective stretches of the latter winding in the direction of the arrows c, d, the arrow 0 indicating the movement of the stretch between the windings toward the winding being rolled, and the arrow (1 indicating the direction of the stretch in a feeding direction toward the roj ecting head.

It will be noted that t e arrows b and 03 point in a direction proceeding from the discharge to the entering feed portions of the projectin of movement lIldlCittEd by the arrow 0 is in an opposite direction, indicating that the direction of movement of the series of pietures in the stretch between the windings is reverse to the direction of movement of said series of pictures toward and from the collective .windings, the series of pic tures on the stretchindicated by the arrow 6, moving for instance in head-first direction while the series of pictures on the section of strip indicated by the arrow 0 move in foot-first direction.

The picture-strip is fed to the projecting head over a directing roll 36, with which.

an idler roll 37 coacts, and passes in a stretch 38 to a continuously rotating sprocket 39 with which an idler roll 40 coacts, whence it passes in a loop 41 into registry with a lightorifice 42, with which a usual shutter and film-gate cooperate, the picture-strip being fed intermittently past the light-orifice byan intermittently rotating sprocket 43 with which an idler roll '44 coacts, the intermittently rotating sprocket feeding the successive pictures'45 of the picture-strip to said light-orifice. The picture-strip then passes in the form of a loop 46 to the continuously rotating sprocket 47 with which an idler roll 48 coacts, and passes thence between the pair of idler rolls 49, 5 0, from the projecting head. The teeth of the sprockets are received in the usual perforations 51 at the respective edges of the picture-strip. The picture-strip passes loopwise about the exposure part or projecting head.

In the present exemplification motion is imparted to the sprockets by means of an electric motor 55, the armature-shaft of which carries a worm 56 meshing with a worm-wheel 57 on a shaft 58 journaled in the projecting head, the shaft having fixed thereon a pinion 59 and a pin-plate 60 carry-- ing a pin 61. The pin 61 is arranged to cooperate with the slots 62 of a star-wheel 63, forming a so-called Geneva movement,

the star-wheel being fast on a shaft 64 journaled in bearings in the projecting head and having on it the intermittently rotating sprocket 43. i

The pinion 59 meshes with a gear 71, which in turn meshes with a gear 72, in turn meshing with a gear 73 fast on a shaft 74, the sprocket 39 being fast on the latter.

The pinion 59 further meshes with a gear 75 fast on a shaft 76 journaled in the projecting head and carrying the sprocket 47.

81 represents the lamp-house which has the usual condensing lens and a usual light head, while the direction member 82, the light being projected through the light-orifice and the usual objective lens-barrel 83.

' The picture-strip is received from and is fed to the projecting head in a chamber or compartment 84 in,a casing or frame 85.

The windin 25 is formed between plates 91, 92, the big it of the loop being received about one or more of the pins 93, the two stretches of the loop being led-from the bight in the same direction around the collective pins as a support for the winding to be formed.

One of the stretches of the winding is received from the projecting head and the other of its stretches is received from a previously wound portion of the picture-strip, these stretches being. wound as a pair of stretches for forming the winding.

The pins 93 .are fast on a plate 94. Rotation of the plate 94 is accomplished by 'means of a friction-disk 95, which may be wheel 97 and a sprocket-wheel 99 fast on the shaft 76.

The pins 93 pass through holes 100 in plate 91. The friction-disk 95 is located between the plates 94, 91, and rotates them at a speed dependent on the load and resistance of the winding on the pins, and during the'times determined by the operation of the mechanism as hereinafter described. The pins 93 are picture-strip supporting pins extending into the space 101 between the plates 91, 92. The plate 92is rotatable idly on a bearing 102 about a stud 103 secured in a bearing 104. I

The plates 91, 92, are at a slight angle with relation to each other, their points of closest approach being adjacent to the point at which the receiving stretch 24 is received between the plates. The plates diverge in the direction of release of the winding. The object of this arrangement is to cause the film to be close to the plate 91 from which the pins 93 project, insuring proper support of the loop during winding, and permitting ready release of the winding in the direction of the unwinding position. As the diameter and weight of the winding increases, the resistance upon the friction-disk increases for causing slippage between the friction disk and the plates 91, 92, thereby reducing the speed of rotation of the winding so as tocause uniformity between the speed of movement of the periphery of the winding and the constant speed of delivery A collar 107 is "on a sleeve 108 slidable lengthwise on the sleeve 96. The plate 94 is fast on the sleeve 108- and is urged toward the friction-disk by a spring 89.

The collar 107 is connected by means of lmks 109 with a lever 110, pivoted at 111 to the frame. On this samepivot there is a bell-crank lever 112, to which a link 113 is connected, which is articulated with a lever 114 pivoted at 115 to the frame and carrymg an idler roller 116 about which the picture-strip passes from the winding 31. A branch 117 of the lever 114 passes through an arc-slot 118 which is in .the wall of the compartment 84, the lever 114 being on the outside of said compartment, and the roller being on the inside thereof.

When the winding 31 has been. unwound, a stretch of picture-strip passes directly from the upper winding about the roller 116- and back to the projecting head, this stretch moving in opposite directions at its respective ends, namely about the winding 25 and toward the projecting head.

A tendency to unwind the winding 25 is thereby, created, to counteract which the ratchet-wheel 121 is provided. The ratchetwheel, fast on the end of a shaft 122, is engaged by a pawl 123 pivoted at 124 to a lug 125 of the bearing 90. The pawl is spring pressed toward the ratchet-Wheel by a spring 126, for preventing retrograde r0- tation of the plates 91, 94, the progressive rotation of said plates however not being prevented by the pawl. The plate 91 is fast with the shaft 12 A lifting movement is now imparted to the roller 116 and lever 114, which is imparted tothe bell-crank lever 112 by the link 113, articulated therewith at 106. The bellcrank lever is provided with a wiper 127 which rides upon a cam 128 of a lever 129 pivoted on a screw 130, thereby depressing the lever and releasing the latch 131 on said,

lever from engagement with a catch 132 on the lever 110, for controlling the position of the lever 110.

The lower end of the lever 110 is thereupon swung on its pivot toward the assumed position of the lower arm of the bell-cranklever by means of a spring 135. The spring is received about a rod 136 having an adjustin nut 137 thereon and articulated to the be l-crank lever at 138. The spr1ng'135, when the nut is thus drawn upon, is of greater resistance than the spring 89, and acts to compress the latter, the movement of the lever 110 acting upon the collar 107 to shift the sleeve 108 endwise and to with: draw the pins 93within the plate 91, and at the same time to relieve the frictional engagement between the friction-disk 95 and the plates 94 and 91 for permittmg momentary cessation of rotation of'said plates. When the lower end of the arm 110 is When now the upper winding has been wound to its predetermined diameter and the pins 93 are withdrawn, the upper winding' drops between arms 147, 148, which have idler rolls 14.9, 150, at their respective ends. These arms are respectively pivotedon pivots 151, 152, and are normally urged toward each other so as to direct the idler rolls to a position central with relation to the upper winding position. This is accomplished by means of springs 153, 154.

When the winding descends from its upper position, the strainof the stretch passing about the'roller 116 is relieved for permitting the descent of the roller and of the lever 114 by gravity, which relieves the upward pressure, upon the bell-crank 112 for placing it in relation for being retracted to normal position.

In the further descent of the upper wind-' it ing to lower position, preferably adjacent to its lowest limit of movement, its weight is received upon the power end of a lever 157 pivoted at 158 to the frame. This end of the lever preferably has an idler roll 159 thereon. The lever 157 is articulated at 160 with a link 161, preferably having an adjusting connection 162therein, the other end of the Lever being articulated at 163 with the lever 142 for withdrawing the latch 141 thereon from engagement with the catch 132.

As soon as the upper winding has passed the arms .147, 148, the springs 153, 154, act on said arms to urge the stretch of picturestrip or film which now depends from the idler rolls 49, 50, toward the median plane or axial line of the late 91 for urging this stretch of strip or Elm into position so as to be received between the pins when they are again projected into engaging ositions, whereby this stretch of strip or lm is located across the annular path of the pin positions and will be in position to be properly engaged by these ,pins,so as to initiate the rewinding and prevent a creasing or buckling ,of the strip or film.

When the winding is in lower position it is located in a space 164 between the walls the bell-crank lever and end-abutment member 137, and the action of the sprmg 89 which acts to return the lever 110, for plac- 7 ing its catch in locked relation behind the latch 131. The spring 89 also acts on the sleeve 108 for thrusting the pins 93 into engaging positions with relation to the picture-strip.

Priorto thrusting of the pins into such engaging positions, their travel in their annular path has ceased by reason of the fact that pressure of the plates 94 and 91 upon the friction-disk 95 has been relieved. When the pins have been thrust into engaging positions by the action of the spring 89, the continuously rotating friction-disk '95 will again, by reason of the pressure thereon by the plates 94 and 91, cause annular travel of the pins 93. I 1

The stretch of picture-strip passing from the idler rolls 4:9, 50, will in the meantime, as hereinbefore described, have been placed within the path of the pins 93, for contact of the picture-strip by at least one of the pins for again rolling, the picture-strip into a double stretch roll and repeating the previous operation of forming the upper winding in manner previously described.

The-tightening. of the stretch of picture strip about the idler-roll 116, the withdrawal of the pins, the descent of the winding, the tripping of the latches, and the return of the parts to normal positions, and the operations described in connection therewith, all take place automatically in rapid sequence, so that'the feed of the picture-strip to the-point of exposure is not interrupted.

The feeding stretch of picture-strip passes over idlers 171, 172, rotatably mounted on a lever 173 pivoted at 174 to the frame. A spring 175 normally urges tension upon the feeding stretch in order to take up any slack therein. From this tension apparatus the picture-strip passes over a directing roll 176 to the directing roll-36.

.In order to prevent abrasion of the face of the picture-strip or film and to relieve frictional contact therewith and avoid undue strain upon the picture-strip or film, the winding is, in its lower position preferably supported on an endless belt 178 passing over idler pulleys 179, 180, the roller 159 being preferably under the winding between the stretches of the belt. The material of the belt is preferably such as to avoid abrasive contact with the film and is also preferably absorbent, being for instance felt. It

is preferably impregnated with a suitable liquid for the preservation of the film, which will replenish the evaporated substance of the film and impart flexibility to the film. This liquid may, for instance, be commercial eucalyptus oil.

The endless belt or carrier 178' and the pulleys 17 9, 180, may, if desired, be actuated idly by the rotation of the picture-strip.

The movement of the picture-strip throughout is at the speed of feed of the projecting head. The winding of the 100 next the projecting head is controlled by t 1e friction drive therefor at the speed of delivery of the strip to the periphery of the winding from the projecting head, the winding being reasonably tight to minimize shifting between the stretches of the strip. The rotation of the lower winding exemplified is controlled bythe speed of feed of the stretches of the strip moving from the periphery of the lower winding to the projecting head and to the periphery of the winding being formed.

If desired, oneof the pulleys 179, 180, may be provided with an actuating mechanism which will rotate the lower winding at a peripheral speed similar to the speed of feed of the picture-strip to the projecting head. For this purpose a driving-connection may be provided from a suitable member controlling the speed of travel of the picture-strip in the projecting head, and connected, for instance, with the pulley 180.

Exemplifying this connection, I provide the sleeve 96, driven from the sprocket-wheel 99, as hereinbefore explained, with a pulley 183. A belt 184 passes about said pulley and a pulley 185 fast on a sleeve 186 loose about a shaft 187, journaled in a bearing 188 in the frame and in bearings in the walls 165, 166. The sleeve 186 is provided with one member of a clutch 189, the other member of the clutch being on a collar 190, arranged to slide lengthwise of the shaft and having splineconnection 191 therewith. 192 is a lever pivoted to the frame at 193, and has a fork 194 about the collar 190, from which pins 195 extend into an annular groove 196 in the collar. An actuating rod 197 is articulated at 198 with the lever 192 and has an operating knob 199 at the outside of the casing for manipulating the clutch. When the clutch is in engagement the shaft 187 is rotated by means of the belt 184.

Ihave in Fig. 7 shown a modification of the plate 92, illustrating this plate parallel with the plate 91, the parts being indicated by similar but primed reference numerals. This modified structure is preferable when making windings of comparatively great diameter. f

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination of a motion picture head, feeding means for an endless picturestrip, loop forming and winding means for the strip comprising a pair of plates between which said loop is wound, said plates converging toward the point atwhich the strip stretch 'is received between them from said picture head and diverging in the release direction of the winding, and means for re leasing the winding.

2. In a device of the character described,

the combination of means for forming a loop in an endless picture-strip and winding said loop comprising a support for the Winding of said loop, means for axially moving said support to release said winding for movement of said winding to unwinding position, and a trip for said releasing means actuated by said winding.

' 3. In a device of the character described, the combination of rotatable means for forming a loop in an endless picture-strip and winding said loop, shifting means for releasing said winding for movement thereof to unwinding position and for relief of driving relation of said loop-forming and winding means, and means actuated by movement of said winding for return of said shifting means to operative position and of said rotatable means to driving relation.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of rotatable means for forming a loop in an endless picture-strip and winding said loop, shifting means for releasing said winding for movement thereof to unwinding position and for relief of driving relation of said loop-forming and winding means, means for preventing reverse rotation of said rotatable means, and means actuated by movementof said winding for. return of said shifting means to operative position and of said rotatable means to driving relation.

5. In a device of the character described,

- the combination of an exposure-part, rotatable means for forming a loop in an endless picture-strip and winding said loop, said lastnamed means comprising a support for the winding of said loop, means for removal of said support from said winding to release said winding for passage of said winding to un winding position whereby a stretch of said picture-strip passes from the exposure-part to said winding in unwinding position, and means for directing said stretch of strip toward the axial line of said support.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of an endless picture-strip comprising a plurality of loop-windings therein, one of said windings being a winding being wound and another an unwinding winding, said windings being in sequence in the strip, means for forming a loop and winding said loop comprising driving means, means for relief of said driving means and release of said winding being wound comprising an actuating part actuated by the stretch of picture-strip when said unwinding winding is exhausted, means for momentarily holding said winding means in relieved relation, and means controlling said last-named means actuated by said unwinding winding.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of an endless picturestrip comprising a plurality of loop-windings therein, one of said windings being a wind* I ing being wound and another an unwinding winding, said windings being in sequence in the strip, means for forming a loop and winding said loop comprising driving means, means for relief of said driving means and release of said Winding being wound comprising an actuating part actuated by the stretch of picture-strip when said unwinding Winding is exhausted, means for preventing retractive movement of said loop-forming and winding means, means for momentarily holding said winding means in relieved relation, and means controlling said last-named means actuated by said unwinding winding.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of an endless picture-strip comprising a plurality of loop windings therein, one of said windings being a winding being wound and another an unwinding winding, said windings being in sequence in the strip, means for forming a loop and winding said loop, supporting means for said winding being wound, a part actuated by the stretch of picture-strip when said unwdnding winding is exhausted, said part having operative connection with said supporting means, and means for controlling said supporting means actuated by said unwinding winding.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of an exposure-part, means for forming a loop in an endless picturestrip and winding said loop, friction driving means therefor, a latch for maintaining said loop-forming and winding means in operative relation, a trip actuated by the tension of the picture-strip from said winding in winding position to said exposure-part for releasing said latch whereby to release said winding for movement thereof to unwinding position and to place said loop-forming and winding means in inactive relation, a latch. for said loop forming and winding means holding in such inactive relation, and a trip for said latch actuated by movement of said winding to unwinding position.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of an exposure-part, pins having a closed path of movement forming aloop in. an endless picture strip and winding said loop, friction driving means therefor, a latch for maintaining said pins in operativerelation, a trip actuated by the tension of the picture-strip from said pins to said exposure-part for withdrawing said pins from said winding whereby to release said winding for movement thereof to unwinding position, a latch for holding said pins in inactive relation, and a trip for said latch actuated by movement of said winding to unwinding position.

11. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a winding part compris ing a winding-support, a spring for normally urging supporting relation of said winding-support, a lever normally positioned 4 tioned for such supporting relation and arranged for moving said winding-support to position for releasing the winding, a latch for holding said lever in normal position, a latch for holding said lever in release position, and means for alternate tripping of said latches comprising a spring acting counter to said first-named spring.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination of a projecting head, feeding means for an endless picture-strip at said head, means for forming a loop-winding in said strip, a support for said winding comprising a roller, and means for rotating said roller having driving connection with said first-named feeding means for rotating said winding in unwinding direction at a peripheral speed controlled by the speed of feed at said projecting head, said roller acting on the periphery of said winding.

14. In adevice of the character described, the combination, of a projecting head,'feeding means for an endless picture-strip at said head, means forming a loop-winding in.

said strip, supporting means for said winding comprising a roller, and means for rotating saidroller having driving connection with said first-named feeding means for rotating said winding in unwinding direction at aperipheral speed controlled by the speed of feed at said projecting head, said roller acting on the periphery of said winding, said means for rotating said roller provided with motion-interrupting means for idle movement of said supporting means.

.15. In a device of the character described, the combination of a projecting head, winding means for an endless picture strip comprising a pair of rotatable plates, pins pro- .jecting between said plates for formlng a loopin said endless picture-strip and wind ing said loop, means for withdrawing said pins for release of said winding and means acted on by a stretch of said strip between said winding and said projecting head for actuating said last-named means.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination of a projecting head, an endless picture-strip, of winding means compr1sing a pair of rotatable plates, pins proecting between said plates for forming a loop in said winding and winding said loop,

said picture-strip comprising an unwinding loop-winding, means for withdrawing said pins for release of said first-named winding acted on by the stretch of said strip between said first-named winding and said projecting head upon exhaustion of said unwinding winding, and directing arms directing the stretch of strip between said projecting head and said unwinding winding into range with said rotating pins.

a 17. In a device of the character described, the combination of a projecting head, an endless picture-strip comprising a winding loop-winding and an unwinding loop-winding, means for winding said loop-winding comprising a pair of plates, pins extending from one of said plates through the other of said plates into range of the picture-strip, a friction-disk between said plates, a spring normally urging said plates toward one another, a lever for withdrawing said pinplate, a latch for said lever, a bell-crank lever for releasing said latch, a lever with which said bell-crank lever has connection, the stretch of said picture-strip between said winding loop-winding and the projecting head having connection with said lever for actuating the same, a latch for holding said first-named lever in withdrawn position, and a trip for said last-named latch actuated by the movement of said winding to unwinding position.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination of a projecting head, an endless picture-strip comprising a winding loop-winding and an unwinding loop-winding, means for winding said loop-winding comprising a pair of plates, pins extending from one of said plates through the other of said plates into range of the picture-strip, a friction-disk between said plates, a spring normally urging said plates toward one another, a lever for withdrawing said pin plate, a latch for said lever, a bell-crank lever for releasing said latch, a lever with which said bell-crank lever has connection, the stretch of said picture-strip between said winding loop-winding and the projecting head having connection with said lever for actuating the same upon unwinding of said unwinding winding, a latch for holding said first-named lever in withdrawn position, an endless belt upon which said winding is received in unwinding position, a lever having a roller thereon received between the strands of said belt, said last-named lever having connection with said last-named latch for releasing said first-named lever and moving said pins into operative relation.

having pins projecting therefrom into normal range with said strip, a second plate through which said pins project, an interposed friction-plate, a spring urging said plates toward one another, a lever, a latch for said lever, a second lever comprising an abutment member, a second spring operative between said abutment member and said first-named lever arranged for action upon said last-named spring upon movement of said second-named lever with relation to said first-na1ned lever, a second latch for said 10 levers, and trips with which said picturestrip has operative connection for alternately releasing said latches.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ELIS-HA E. MAGGARD. 

